The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.
1 Timothy 4:1-2 NIV
Paul had spent three years teaching in Ephesus and had not been gone for many years when he wrote this letter. But his warning to the Ephesian elders (Acts 20:29-31) had already come true. Men promoting false doctrines had crept into the church there, leading people astray. To counter this, Paul had left Timothy in Ephesus to oppose these false teachers (1 Tim. 1:3-4).
The men who promoted these false doctrines claimed to be professing believers. But rather than following the Holy Spirit in their teaching, Paul claimed that they followed deceiving spirits and the teachings of demons.
In the nearly 2000 since Paul wrote this, there has been no shortage of men and women who have, as Paul said, abandoned the faith and advocated the teachings of demons. And many of these “doctrines of demons” continue to be taught today.
There is room for godly Spirit-led believers to come to different understandings of some teachings of the Bible. The Scripture is not always as clear as we might like. But we must guard against false teachers and doctrines contrary to God’s inspired word and those that promote a different gospel (Gal. 1:8-9).
Guarding Against False Doctrine
How do you guard against them? Immerse yourself in Scripture like the Berean believers (Acts 17:11). Enlist the Holy Spirit to guide you into the truth (John 16:13). Examine the fruit of their teaching (Matt. 7:15-20). Does it promote unity and godliness? Or is it divisive? Hold fast to the truth of God’s word (2 Thess. 4:15). And turn away from godless teaching (1 Tim. 6:20).
Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.
2 Peter 3:17-18 NIV
